Researchers have announced that a combination of two existing medications, Januvia (sitagliptin) and Prevacid (lansoprazole) may regenerate the lost beta-cells that the pancreas uses to make insulin.
Type 1 diabetics are people who have already lost all, or essentially all of their beta-cells. Type 2 diabetics often lose all, or essentially all, of their beta-cells over time if they cannot or do not keep their blood sugar levels in control. It isn’t just people who have the classically defined Type 1 diabetes who can need a boost to their beta-cell count. Researchers believe Januvia and Prevacid may be the tool for bringing back these insulin-producing cells and maybe curing both forms of diabetes… both Type 1 and Type 2.
In laboratory studies with mice, these two drugs act together:
1. to stimulate the growth of new beta-cells, and
2. to prevent the “burn out” of the existing beta-cells that is caused when blood sugar levels go too high. Growing your own beta cells in humans would give diabetics the benefits of a transplant without the necessity of having a transplant. But that doesn’t mean there are no problems with this approach.
Januvia: Used by itself, Januvia hasn’t proven itself to be very helpful for most Type 2 diabetics. Some respond to it very well where about two-thirds of users don’t respond at all. It appears to work well for people whose beta cells are able to respond to stimulation by drugs known as sulfonylureas (these were the first oral diabetes drugs used in the United States, prescribed since the 1970’s. They were also the only oral diabetic drugs available in the United States until the mid-1990’s). Januvia has only been on the market since late 2006.
Unfortunately, changes in the hormone levels that affect the release of sugar from the liver after eating, turn out also to affect the body’s immune defenses against melanoma. A few people have had really horrific skin reactions to Januvia.
Prevacid: The drug, Prevacid is very effective for stopping heartburn. It also stops calcium absorption. Chronic use of Prevacid can endanger your bones.
So it may turn out that the combination of Januvia and Prevacid really will be a cure for diabetes, but it will be a cure for diabetes that will either cause other problems or require very careful management. One word of advice: Don’t be the first to try this! The combination is promising, but day to day use is still in the future.
